Trials by Melody: May 2015

theSkimm

By Melody Warren - 11:25:00 AM

Happy Friday!

As a fun Friday topic, I wanted to share one of my favorite daily habits: Reading theSkimm.

What is theSkimm?

Here is the theSkimm's description of themselves... theSkimm is an email newsletter for anyone short on time. No one wants to be the deer in headlights when someone says “did you hear about the latest in Syria?” or “did you hear about Johnny Football?” Our concept is simple. We read. You Skimm.

This is a service everyone needs. You may follow the 'right' people on Twitter or get the 'right' breaking news alerts but with so much noise, it's hard to filter what you need to know in politics, international affairs, sports, entertainment, technology etc. theSkimm is your filter. We cross party and subject lines to break down what it seems everyone else is talking about. theSkimm is not just another email. It’s about choosing to make your mornings better by being informed in a way that fits into your routine. Even before your first cup of coffee.

How do I subscribe?

Easy! Go to www.theSkimm.com and add your email address. Done.

Have a great weekend!

Xoxo,

Mel

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Motherhood

27 Weeks + 2 Days

By Melody Warren - 7:04:00 AM

Happy Wednesday! This week we are 27 (ish) weeks pregnant.

If you're wondering why I say "ish" when describing how far along we are in the pregnancy, well, that little Carter Warren is throwing us for a loop with how big he actually is. Dr. Boon, my OBGYN, had said from the beginning that he looked a week or so ahead of the August 24th due date. And THEN, when I had my gallbladder surgery, the surgeon said that he looks SEVERAL weeks ahead of my due date. Hmmm... sounds to me like little Carter may be making an appearance a little earlier than we thought ...

Nevertheless, we will continue with our baby count. According to TheBump.com, during week 27 of pregnancy, the average fetus measures about 13.6 to 14.8 inches and weighs about 1.5 to 2.5 pounds. He already has his room 99% setup and we are getting closer to being totally ready for his arrival. He is breathing and showing brain activity this week! I have found ways to deal with the annoying back aches that haven't gone away. I have also found that I have to pee. A lot. Event when I just went, I feel like I have to go. It's all good though, we are heading down the pregnancy home stretch - bring it on!

Pregnancy Symptoms at 27 Weeks

Trouble sleeping.
Swelling.
Back Aches and Headaches, due to hormone fluctuations or stress.
Pregnancy brain
Skin, hair, and nail changes

Xoxo,

Mel

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Memorial Day Weekend 2015

By Melody Warren - 2:17:00 PM

Happy Tuesday, friends!

I hope everyone had a nice and safe holiday weekend - we sure did! Overall, our weekend was low key and relaxing. The highlights of our weekend included putting together Carter's Nursery and the torrential downpours around the city of Houston.

On Monday, our sweet family and friends came over to help Terrance and I put together the furniture for Carter's Nursery!! What a fun day it was!

Teamwork!

Carter is a lucky little boy!

And there was no shortage of food for the hard workers! Happy Memorial Day!


The finished project!! Wow! We are so thankful for all of the help. Now all we need is little CJW!

Also this weekend, the city of Houston experienced some of the worst rain in the city's history. There were people stranded on the freeways, houses and cars ruined, and folks having a sleepover in the Toyota Center after the Rocket's Game (Go Rockets!). Thankfully, T and I were safe and sound in our apartment. Because of the weather, and the conditions of all of the major roads and freeways, work was cancelled today (Tuesday) allowing for a 4 day weekend for me. Here are some pictures of the city - CRAZY!

More pictures and information at Click2Houston.com.

Hope you all had a nice, relaxing and SAFE weekend.

Xoxo,

Mel

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There is something BIG on the horizon for Trials by Melody ...

By Melody Warren - 6:43:00 AM

Happy Thursday, friends!

I have some fun news to share ... in my spare time (between being 7 months pregnant, having surgery, working full time, and being a wife) I have started a fun, new project.

You like? I am working on turning my blog (www.trialsbymelody.blogspot.com) into a real, living, breathing WEBSITE! My vision is to center the website around the blog, but also offer customized sections that reflect my life and hobbies.

I have received some awesome feedback and love that I have so many followers - it really gave me the push I was looking for to get this ball rolling. My goal is to have the website up and running, replacing this blog, in the next few weeks ... so stay tuned!

Also, please reach out and let me know if there is anything specific you would like to see be part of the new website - I am all ears!

Lastly, I am wishing my mother-in-law, Rejeana Warren, a very happy birthday!!

Xoxo,

Mel

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Motherhood

26 Weeks + 1 Day

By Melody Warren - 2:15:00 PM

Happy Tuesday! This week we are 26 (ish) weeks pregnant.

Nevertheless, we will continue with our baby count. According to TheBump.com, during week 26 of pregnancy, the average fetus measures about 13.6 to 14.8 inches and weighs about 1.5 to 2.5 pounds. He is developing eyelashes! Wow! And at this point, it feels like this baby (who we haven’t even met yet) has taken over my life. He is interfering with my sleep, he is messing with my memory and my gallbladder, he has filled up an entire room in our house, and he is making us so excited for his arrival.

Pregnancy Symptoms at 26 Weeks

Trouble sleeping.
Swelling.
Headaches, due to hormone fluctuations or stress.
Pregnancy brain -- is it getting tricky to remember stuff?
Braxton Hicks contractions.
Slightly higher blood pressure.

Xoxo,

Mel

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Motherhood

That Gallbladder Though ...

By Melody Warren - 8:51:00 PM

Hello to all of my sweet friends and family! As many of you know, I underwent gallbladder surgery last week. This was my first ever surgery ... I was nervous, but I was very well taken care of.

I was experiencing some pains in my side which was then diagnosed as gallbladder issues. It was about 24 hours between when the surgeon told me he wanted to remove it to when I was in surgery. My amazing husband, mother, mother in law, and aunt were by my side through the entire experience. I seriously can't brag about my support system enough - I am SO lucky. Although I was 25/26 weeks pregnant, I am in good health and we proceeded with the surgery. It's all worth it for Carter. Here are a few pics from the experience!

Again, I can't brag about Terrance enough. He was so helpful, loving, kind, and protective of me. He posted a sweet Facebook/Instagram status about me to help ease everyone's minds and questions. He is my angel.

**WARNING** There are some minor graphic images ahead...

This is what my insides looks like! Cool, huh? I had an infected gallbladder with gallstones and sludge and other nasty stuff, so it was decided that the gallbladder had to go! OH! and if you look hard enough, you can see the top of the sack where Carter is! We were told that he is a big boy and he most likey will be here before his due date of Aug 24.

And here is what the aftermath looks like... not too bad. The large incision above my belly button is where the camera went in (this was a lapriscopic surgery), the other 3 incisions were where the doctors instruments went in.

And here are some SUPER sweet cards and flowers that my amazing husband and friends gave to me. I'm telling y'all, I am so blessed!

I am still on the mend, getting better slowly but surely. This was a fairly routine surgery but the fact that I am pregnant on top of my recovery has slowed things down a little bit. But Carter and I are in very good hands and we are recovering well. Thank you all for your kind words, thoughts, and prayers!

Xoxo,

Mel

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Motherhood

Mother's Day 2015

By Melody Warren - 6:25:00 AM

Sigh ... and what a lovely day/weekend it was.

This Mother's Day was my first mothers day, and what a great day it was. My husband, family, and friends were SO sweet and made the weekend VERY special for me.

We celebrated with my mom the previous weekend (She and Shelby were out of town this weekend) with our annual brunch at Brennan's. This is the first year in a while that I didn't get an pictures!! We got a chance to celebrate with Rejeana and Emma (Terrance's mom and grandmother) on Sunday afternoon.

At our house, T surprised me with this AMAZING lime green chevron glider and equally amazing Tory Burch Diaper Bag. Sorry to brag, but he is the best.

Also this weekend, we celebrated Brittany's 30th Birthday! She had a crawfish boil at her house and it was a great time! Brittany is 30 and Fabulous!

Lastly, today I am going in for surgery. My OBGYN and a digestive surgeon have reccomended that my gallbladder be removed due to some pesky gallstones and other issues that I am expereincing with my gallbladder. Even though I am 25 weeks pregnant, they are still requiring this surgery. This will be my first surgery in my life and I am nervous. BUT I am surrounded by so much love and support and I know that all will be fine. I will report back once I am back in commission.

Xoxo,

Mel

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Motherhood

25 Weeks

By Melody Warren - 8:36:00 PM

Happy Monday! Sorry for the late post today ... better late than never, right? This week we are 25 (ish) weeks pregnant.

If you're wondering why I say, "ish" when describing how far along we are in the pregnancy, click here to read more. This week is significant because, depending how you look at it, I am in my third trimester!

According to TheBump.com, during week 25 of pregnancy, the average fetus measures about 13.6 to 14.8 inches and weighs about 1.5 to 2.5 pounds.They also suggest looking into pre-registering for the hospital to avoid having you, or your partner, fill out any pesky paperwork while you're in labor. I like this idea! It's pretty weird to think that he will be here in 15 weeks or less. CRAZY! Also a symptom of week 25? Trouble sleeping. Apparently this is a common time where moms-to-be start having a harder time getting restful sleep.

Some additional Pregnancy Symptoms at 25 Weeks

Gas and bloating
Heart Burn
All over aches and pains
Trouble Sleeping
Trouble catching your breath, as baby continues to crowd the lungs
Stretch Marks

Also, our sweet friend Margaret Banks gave me a great idea to start for Carter. She showed me the journals that she has kept for her children throughout their childhoods and I was instantly inspired. It is a sweet and sentimental way to save all of the fun memories and is put together in a way that your child can read one day and appreciate. I wrote my first entry for Carter on Saturday. Hopefully he will like the idea as much as I do.

Also, we had a great weekend and I had a LOVELY first Mother's Day. My husband is the best. I will brag more tomorrow.

Xoxo,

Mel

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Fitness

Warren-T Fitness Wednesday

By Melody Warren - 6:32:00 AM

Happy Humpday!

As you know, my sweet husband Terrance has his own fitness company: Warren-T Fitness. His company is so much more than personal training. He prides himself in his professionalism, the relationship building between he and his clients and the creativity in his workout programs. An example of this creativity are his pool workouts!

This was a picture from the workout on Saturday May 2nd at the Pool at the Fairmont San Felipe. All levels of fitness are welcome, just bring some clothes that you don't mind getting wet and a good attitude!

He switches up the workouts and has us using all of the space in and out of the pool area. The next pool workout will be on Saturday May 16th at 9:00am. Let me know if you're interested in attending!

If you want more information about training with Terrance or anything mentioned in this post, you can find his contact details here:

Email Warren-T Fitness: WarrenTFitness@gmail.com

Click here to follow Warren-T Fitness on Facebook

Clich here to follow Warren-T Fitness on Instagram

Need real results? That last? Change your life with Warren-T Fitness! Mixing physical fitness & nutrition, Warren-T Fitness is the way to go!

Xoxo,

Mel

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#HappilyEverAylsworth

By Melody Warren - 7:51:00 AM

Hi everyone! As promised, here are the deets on Sara & Steve's Wedding!

The wedding was held at Briscoe Manor on Friday evening and it was absolutely lovely. Aside from the GORGEOUS bride and all of the lovely festivities, one of my favorite things about the event was the SHSU/Tri-Sigma reunion. Here are some pictures - enjoy!

Sigmas with the Bride

Enjoying the cocktail hour before the reception

T & I before the reception

More Sigmas with the groom.

And lastly, the most gorgeous picture I think I have ever seen in my life ...

Photo is courtesy of Courtney Leigh Photography.

Xoxo,

Mel

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Motherhood

24 Weeks

By Melody Warren - 9:59:00 AM

Happy Monday! This week we are 24 (ish) weeks along in the pregnancy.

If you're wondering why I say, "ish" when desciribng how far along we are in the pregnancy, click here to read more.

According to TheBump.com, during week 24 of pregnancy, the average fetus measures about 10.5 to 11.8 inches and weighs about 12.7 to 20.8 ounces. Coming up within the next few weeks is my Glucose Tolerance Test aka one of the more memorable prenatal tests to see if I am at risk for gestational diabetes.

Some additional Pregnancy Symptoms at 24 Weeks

Swollen ankles and feet
Leg cramps
Back Aches
Linea Nigra - the dark line that runs up the center of the belly.
Trouble catching your breath, as baby continues to crowd the lungs
Stretch Marks

Also in baby news, Kate Middleton gave birth to her first daughter on Saturday Morning. I love reading about her and her family for many reasons, but another reason why I love her so much is the fact that she gave birth to her baby without the use of any medication (thanks Shan for sending me the story). Click here to read more about it. Girl Power!

In NOT baby news, we had a lovely weekend that included a wedding, a reunion, a pool workout, a boxing match, and an early mother's day brunch. Check back tomorrow and I will tell you all about it!

Xoxo,

Mel

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Epstein to Aylsworth

By Melody Warren - 6:26:00 AM

TGIF! Is anyone else as excited as I am for the fact that it is FRIDAY!?

Not only is today Friday, but it is also the day that my dear friend Sara Epstein is getting MARRIED!!!

I have spoken about Sara a lot in past posts. Here she is performing at the Jet Lounge, here we are celebrating she and Steve's couples shower, and here we are celebrating her Bachelorette Party.

Sara and I became instant friends in 2008 at the Tri Sigm Sorority House. I was away at Disney the semester that Sara joined the sorority. We had each heard so much about each other, that when I came back to SHSU, we hugged and felt like we had known each other out entire lives. We have celebrated countless parties, birthdays, engagements, weddings, and all kinds of other events and I could not be happier to see her marry Steve tomorrow. She has found someone who completes her and all of her friends couldn't be happier to see her so happy. She is one of the nicest, sweetest, most talented and most genuine people that I have ever met in my life. She is a Christian, a daughter, a sister, and one of the best friends anyone could have. For nostalgia and old times sake, here are some fun pictures of Sara and I through the years. Enjoy!

Tonight she will become Mrs. Aylworth and I can't wait to see Steve's face when he sees his bride. I am tearing up just thinking about it. Check back next week for the details and pictures of the wedding.

Have a great weekend!

Xoxo,

Mel